Honoring Congregations that are Leading the Way on Disabilities Inclusion

Honoring Congregations that are Leading the Way on Disabilities Inclusion

The Reform Movement is exceptionally proud of Rabbi Lynne Landsberg, senior advisor on disabilities issues at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, who was recently presented with the Thornburgh Family Award in recognition of her years of service on behalf of people with disabilities. As the inaugural recipient of this award, Rabbi Landsberg was honored on July 26, 2015, the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In a letter read at the interfaith service at which she was honored, President Barack Obama wrote to Rabbi Landsberg,

“…you have shaped a more inclusive future for generations to come. Your leadership reflects essential beliefs at the core of our Nation’s creed: that all things are possible for all people, and that we all do better when we lift each other up. While our work to uphold fairness and equality is unending, our country is stronger and truer to itself because of the progress leaders like you have inspired.’

Indeed, “shaping a more inclusive future for generations to come” is a value central to the Reform Movement’s work as we create congregational communities that are open and welcoming to all. In honor of this momentous anniversary guaranteeing the legal rights of people with disabilities – and in honor of Rabbi Landsberg’s leadership and contribution – we want to recognize and share the exemplary efforts of our congregations who have made significant effort to become places where people of all abilities can fully participate and belong. Accordingly, we will be highlighting the achievements of Reform congregations in the area of disabilities inclusion at the URJ Biennial 2015, taking place November 4-8 in Orlando, FL. At the Biennial, URJ member congregations that have made exemplary efforts to increase inclusion in one or more areas of synagogue life will be awarded certificates of recognition. If this sounds like your congregation, we urge you to apply to become part of this “honor roll.” To learn more, please visit www.disabilitiesinclusion.org or contact Rabbi Edythe Mencher or Joseph Robbins.

Rabbi Rick Jacobs is the president of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), the largest Jewish movement in North America, with almost 900 congregations and nearly 1.5 million members. An innovative thought leader, dynamic visionary, and representative of progressive Judaism, he spent 20 years as the spiritual leader of Westchester Reform Temple in Scarsdale, NY. Deeply dedicated to global social justice issues, he has led disaster response efforts in Haiti and Darfur. Learn more about Rabbi Rick Jacobs.